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Legendary Sportscaster Curt Gowdy Dies (NYT)
The Wyoming-bred outdoorsman whose voice defined big-game network television sportscasting during the 1960's and 70's, died yesterday. He was the quintessential generalist of the pre-cable-television era, serving as the No. 1 announcer at NBC Sports for many premier events.

Sporting News Officially on the Block (NYT)
While publication remains a venerable brand in its category, the 120-year-old weekly magazine faces challenges as it looks for a buyer. The Sporting News has long stood a distant third to Sports Illustrated and ESPN The Magazine.

Doctorow wins Top PEN/Faulkner Honor (WaPo)
The PEN/Faulkner Foundation will announce today that E.L. Doctorow has won its 2006 fiction award for his novel The March. It is the second PEN/Faulkner award for the much-honored Doctorow, who won in 1990 for Billy Bathgate.

Polk Award Winners Announced (E&P)
Journalists who exposed secret C.I.A. prisons, dangerous heart implant devices and evidence against the Klansman who arranged the murder of three civil rights workers in Mississippi in 1964 were among the winners of 14 George Polk Awards for 2005.

Wenner Cans Rolling Stone Publisher Over Party Spat (Mediaweek)
Publisher Steve DeLuca was let go Friday after a dispute with Jann Wenner, Wenner Media chairman and Rolling Stone editor in chief, over the location of a party for Rolling Stone's 1,000th issue. The mag's associate publisher Ray Chelstowski will serve as acting publisher.

Rumsfeld: Propaganda Push in Iraq Was a Mistake (LAT)
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld criticized a U.S. military program that pays Iraqi newspapers to plant stories favorable to the American mission, and mistakenly said the Pentagon had shut down the program shortly after its existence was revealed.

Geraldo to Katie: Today Is the Greatest (Inky)
"She should stay right where she is," Rivera says of NBC's Today star. "Katie's brilliant on the show. She's part of this amazing quartet that's the best in the business, team-wise. She's reaching millions of people, and she goes wherever she wants to." Fox News: Couric would take $7M paycut at CBS.

M.Diddy Still Crafting Her Comeback (Newsweek)
One year out of the big house, Martha Stewart is finally starting to rebuild her own house of style. This week, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia is expected to post its first quarterly profit in two years — albeit a skimpy $7 million. AP via Yahoo!: Trump tells Martha to take responsibility for her failed Apprentice.

Nielsen to Measure TV Habits of College Students (NYT)
Nielsen Media Research announced last week that it would include college students living away from home in its television ratings beginning in early 2007, a move that could bolster ratings on networks like Fox, MTV and the WB, which cater to younger viewers.

Time Inc. Set to Debut Online 'Zine for Workplace Laddies (NYP)
The brainchild of former Maxim and Details Editor Mark Golin and about eight others, Office Pirates parodies the absurdities of office life, especially as seen by guys in their 20s and 30s.

Chinese Bloggers Find Comfort and Peril (WaPo)
The Internet has provided a platform for citizens to express their views, shattering the Communist Party's monopoly on the media. But those trying to use the Internet to foster political change must contend not only with the censors but also with the apathy, fear and mistrust of their fellow citizens. FT: Is blogging a waste of time? FBNY: Meta-meta-meta blogging.

Esquire to Rehash the Nasdijj Hoax (Galleycat)
Remember last month when I told you about Tim Barrus' attempts to shop his life as "Nasdijj" around publishing circles? Well, he's still at it. Barrus says that he's spent the last week being interviewed by Esquire for an article, presumably about how/why he duped them.

—David S. Hirschman